Kate's story fires up brigade

OVERWHELMED by the support of strangers, 20-year-old Kate Arney can't believe her road trip across the country has been paid for, thanks to generous donations from people like the Devonport Fire Brigade.

The brigade presented Kate and her family with a $1000 donation and an overnight stay at Lemonthyme Lodge for her parents, on behalf of its social club.

Ms Arney said she had been surprised by the huge response she'd been getting from friends, family and the general public and said it was a bit overwhelming to receive this kind of support.

Ms Arney will use the donation for a road trip across the country with friends April and Lucy at the end of the year.

"Everything and everyone in the community has been amazing in supporting me," Ms Arney said.

"Everyone's just been so helpful, it's a bit overwhelming really."

Ms Arney, who is currently undergoing treatment for terminal bowel cancer, said it was great the brigade had thought about her parents as they really needed to have some time away.

Devonport Fire Station senior station officer Mark Brownrigg said Ms Arney's situation had hit home for the station after one of the Launceston brigade members was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year.

Mr Brownrigg said the social club often gave donations to people in the community who needed it and said he had come across Miss Arney's story after reading The Advocate.

Ms Arney said donations had been coming in thick and fast and said her target of $20,000 had already been reached.

She wanted to thank everyone who had donated and said she appreciated the sentiment.